Sumud Flotilla less than 150 nautical miles from Gaza, Israel threatens interception

The Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying more than 3,000 activists from around the world, is now less than 150 nautical miles from Gaza. The activists say they are attempting to deliver aid to Palestinians acutely suffering under what they describe as an ongoing genocide by Israel.

“A huge military vessel has left the Ashkelon port and could reach us within a few hours,” Thiago Avile, one of the activists aboard a Sumud vessel, said in a video message.

A Pakistani activist on the flotilla, which is sailing to Gaza to challenge the Israeli siege, reported that the ships had entered a high-risk zone where they could face interception by the Israeli military, as happened with earlier flotillas.

He appealed to the public to raise their voices in support of the mission and called on world leaders to press Israel not to obstruct the humanitarian effort.

This same high-risk zone was where the Mavi Marmara and other ships headed for Gaza were previously stopped by Israel and diverted to Ashkelon port, after which activists aboard were deported.

Italy and Spain had earlier deployed naval vessels to protect the flotilla from potential attacks, while a Turkish drone hovered overhead to monitor any suspicious movements that could threaten the mission.

Israel, meanwhile, has branded the flotilla an aid channel to Hamas and labeled the activists on board as “terrorists.”